Apparatus for bending angle irons



Aug. 19, 1930- TJA, McDoNNELL.

APPARATUS `FOR BENDING ANGLE IRONS 2 sheets-Sheer 1 Filed Dec.Y 22, 4192'? M Mw M.. \\\1\3 Aug.A 179', 1930. l T, A, MCDONN'ELL Y 1,773,430

APPARATUS FORBENDING ANGLE IRoNs Filed Deo. 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO RN EYS Patented Aug. 19, 1930 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" l THOMAS A.. MCDONNELL, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO APPARATUS Foa BINDING linsiemi moNs application ma December v2:2, 1927. serial in. 241,953.

The primaryA object of my `invention isto provide a. mac ine for bending various types wide variation o changes of curvature of its periphery. Clampind means are employed 1n conjunction with the mandrel for aiiixing one end of the roduct in its unfinished state to the form. ending -instrumentalities are also availed of in connection with the mandrel, with which the are relatively movable for bending the worh around the form during the stage of shaping the ultimate product. A noteworthy feature of this invention is the novel mounting of the mandrel together with the bending instrumentalities which ermits of either of the last named parts to unction as the'relatively movable element of the apparatus. This idea is carried out by mount-1n these parts so that the mandrel may beloc ed against rotation while the bendin means is moved with res ect thereto, or i the converse of this condition is desired, the bending means may be held stationary lwhile the mandrel is moved, preferably under power.

Inasmuch as the mandrel is adjustable to varying shapes of the work, the bending instrumentalities provided by this invention are adjustable in their position so that they may at all times be o eratively located with respect tothe perip ery of the mandrel. These last mentioned lnstrumentalities are further adjustable to accommodate work of various sizes. This object is achieved by including in the structure of the bending instrumentalities, means for adjusting the position of bending rollers included therein.

In order to positively hold bent portions 5 of the work on the mandrel during certain .phases of thel shaping of the finished product I provide clamping means which may be brought into o erative position as their use is required. his feature is highly important as it permits of the eilicient and ac- 55 curate operation of the ap aratus when work of comparativelyV large dimensions is being put through the machine.

As previously mentioned, the eriphery of the form or mandrel is radjusta le as to its 6o radius. Naturally, this entails a circumferential construction thereof which is segmental in character. The actual construction of my apparatus includes blocks mounted on stems or spokes'in such a manner that they o5 constitute the portion of the mandrel aforesaid. In their so called extending `positions these blocks have a spaced relation as they do in certain positions of their more collapsed state. One o the objects of this invention is to provide a mounting for these mandrel blocks which permits of the removal not only of the blocks from their carrying stems, f but also the stems from the remaining structure of the mandrel.

A still further more detailed object of the invention is to provide connecting means between the mandrel -bloclrs that permit of their adjustment in position andyet prevent any rotation thereof. This is of some importance a0 because if the blockswere permitted to turn, the periphery or shaping surface of the mandrel would be materially deformed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide mandrel blocks which include suba5 stantially two operating faces, that is, one face of the block may be availed of to accom'- modate the worln'ng when certain types thereof are to be put through the machine, while theblocks may be inverted in their position to afford access to the other surface when a different type of bar is to be shaped. As the bar is operated on by my machine, the structure that is in effect a horizontal flange must be supported during bending operations. This feature assumes some importance when it is considered that it is often desirable to bend the bar either toward or away form the ange aforesaid. When the bar is to be bent away from the flange, a loo of when the blocks are used in their so-called inverted position to hold the bent portions of the bars thereon. Under this condition of usage, the first described clamping means co-` operate with the last named clamping means to positively hold the same in position.

Further and more detailedl object of the invention will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds. For a full and complete understanding thereof, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a bending machine made in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view somewhat fragmentarjv of the machine of Figure 1. Dotted lines indicate the position of the mandrel blocksin a collapsed state.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail illustration taken from the side of one of the mandrel blocks together with a portion of its stem, bringing out the particular construction of the clamping means and mounting of the block, certain positions ofthe clamping member being indicated b v dotted lines.

Figure 4 .is an enlarged detail view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 illustrating in particular the connecting means between the mandrel blocks.

Figure 5 is a. true cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 bringing out the relationship of the mounting of the bending instrumentalities on the main stand when they are held immovable with respect thereto.

Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 6 6 of Figure 1 showing the locking pin in elevation.

Figure 7 is one modification of the shape of the mandrel blocks which may be employed.

Figure 8 is a detailed showing of the mandrel blocks in their inverted position when availed of for the purpose of bending a bar of iron away from its horizontal flange.

IVhile the preferred form of the invention is herein set Jforth, it is to be understood that I am not to be limited to the exact construction illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

In the present embodiment of the invention, my bendin; r machine is shown as operating in a horizontal plane, but it is to he clear'- ly understood that the machine is well adapted for operation on a. horizontal axis, that is, in a vertical plane. The apparatus includes a main support or stand as shown in Figure 1 and designated b v the reference character A. The stand may be of any suitable material such as iron or steel and has an upstanding central or hub portion 1 which is hollowed and open at the upper end.

The machine also includes a mandrel designated generally b v the reference character B. This mandrel comprises a hub portion 2 of considerable longitudinal extent and adapted tov be received within the hollow hub portion l of the stand A. Intermediate the ends of the hub 2 and connected therewith in appropriate fashion as by the flange structure 3, extend spokes 4. At their outer extremities, the spokes 4 are connected together b v the ring member 5. The ring 5, spokes 4, flange structure 3. and hub 2, together with a driving gear 6 constitute the main body portion of the mandrel.

A gear 7 on one end of a driving shaft 8, which is in operative engagement through the medium of bevel gears 9 with a motor 10, causes rotation of the mandrel. Vhile the driving means is shown as a motor, this element is subject to a wide range of variation inasmuch as any prime mover capable of causing proper rotation of the mandrel B for the functioning of the machine, may be availed of. rl`he driving shaft 8 may have suitable support in the form of a bracket 11.

The spokes 4 are provided with threaded bores as shown at 12. These bores extend through the ring 5 and are adapted to receive the threaded shanks of stems I3. Between the points of connection of the spokes 4 with the ring 5, the last named part is providedV with threaded openings 14 which are also adapted to receive certain of these stems 13. If it is found desirable, the ring 5 may be provided on its inner circumferential surface with extensions or bosses 15 for providing sufficient engagement between the stems 13 and the ring 5 to properly mount the stems therein. Each of the threaded shanks of the stems 13 is provided with a lock nut 16 for positively holding the stem in proper relation with respect to the ring 5.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 3, the stems 13 at their outer ends have a squared portion 17 that provides a wrench engaging surface by which the stems 13 may be rotated by an appropriate tool for the purpose of adjusting the position of the blocks. It is notable that in order to screw the stems 13 in and out of the bores receiving them in the ring 5, it is first necessary to loosen nuts 16 so as to permit of this adjustment. Adjacent their outer extremities the stems 13 are also provided with grooves 18 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully setout.

Blocks 19 are detachably mounted on each of the stems 13 at their outer extremities. The blocks 19 are provided on their inner faces with coupling members 20 having bores 21 which receive the ends of the stems 13. These coupling members are aliixed to the block in any approved manner, as by screws. Set screws 22 are threaded in suitable Opeliings in the coupling membersl 2O so that their ends project into the bores 21 when they are threaded in sutlicientlv far. In fastening the blocks to the stems, the screws 22 are nnscrewed so as to leave unrestricted bores in the couplings 20, whereupon the ends of the stems 13 are inserted in the bores so that grooves 18 are in substantial alignment with screws 22. These screws may then be threaded on either sufficiently far to prevent disengagement from the blocks 19 from the stems 13, still permitting of their rotation, or down tight whereby all relative movement between the blocks and stems is prevented. It will be apparent that the connecting structure just described affords a coupling between the parts that permits any one of the stems 13 to be rotated without entailing a corresponding rotation of the block 19 which it carries. This also allows for the detaching of the blocks from their respective stems. The outer circumferenti'al faces of the blocks are curved on a suitable are to provide in effect a mandrel having a large adjustable radius.

As previously mentioned, one of the important features of the invention is the adjustability of the mandrel blocks to provide a form of varying radius. In carrying out this idea,

spaces between the blocks 19 must necessarily exist when the mandrel is adjusted to have a comparatively large radius. The space between these blocks permits the radius of the mandrel `to be diminished to the point where the circumference will have become'so small that the blocks abut one another. If it is desired to operate the machine to produce work the curvature of which has a still smaller radius, the machine may be adapted for such use by removing each of the stems 13 that are threaded in theopenings 14. This in effect is the removal of every other one of the mandrel blocks 19. The remaining blocks may be collapsed to a further extent by screwing the remaining stems 13 into the bores of the spokes 4. This inward radial movement may be carried on luntil the mandrel blocks still in the structure, again abut one another. This construction permits -the periphery of the mandrel to assume any radius within a wide range.

To maintain the blocks 19 in proper alignment during all stages of operation and adjustment of the mandrel, Iliave provided conneeting means between these blocks which consists of linked members 23 having slots 24 therein. Each of the links 23 is positively secured at one end to one of the blocks 19 in any approved manner, as by screws 25. The other end of each of the linked members 23 is fas- Y ment between each of the blocks-connected by one of the linked members 23 and yet prevents any rotation thereof. W'hen the mandrel is collapsed to such an extent that the removal of alternate mandrel blocks is necessitated, the linked members 25 may be detached from the blocks by removal of the screws 25. One of themandrelblocks 19, preferably one in alignment with a spoke 4, is provided with an abutment member 2G against which one end of the bar or angle iron to be bent by the ma-4 chine, is placed.

Each of the blocks 19 is eut away on one side as shown at 26" to provide an angular groove around the outer periphery 0f the mandrel. This cut-away groove may be availed of when the machine is to bend work having an outwardly extending flange. The relationship of the angular iron to the machine under this condition is clearly brought out in Figure 8. On the unbroken plane surface ofthe block a clamp member 27 is pivoted to the block by a pin 28.V The clamp 27 comprises an angular 4portion 29 pivotally connected to the swinging portion 30 of the clam The angular 'portion 29 is of proper imentions to substantially encompass any angle irons that are to be operated on by themaehine. When the clamps are not to be availedof, they may be swung out of the way in the manner clearly brought out by the dotted line positions of Figure 3. The cut-away face of the' block is provided with a second clamp 31 which is pivoted to the block at 32 in asuitable recess. A spring clip 33 may be added to the structure of the block in the position indicated in Figure 3. The clamps 27 and 31 are provided with small openings in their free ends which are arranged so that they overlap when the clamps are in operative position. A pin (not shown) may be passed through these openings to preventrelative movement -of the clamps and thereby hold the same in clamping position.

Now coming to the bending instrumentalil ties; these parts comprise collars-34 andy 35 together with a yoke member 36, and turnbuekle couplings 37. The ycollar 3.5 surrounds the hub 1 of the-stand Aand is provided with openings38, any one of whichmay be brought into alignment with a4 recess'39c-in the` huh-1;. A pin 40 may be inserted in the recess 39 and the opening 38 aligned therewithto :pre-vent relative rotation between the bending `instrumentalitiesand the stand. A threaded shank 41 extends from the eollar'35 and'isconnected when they are inverted to bear against the-' vertical llange of the work as they do when the blocks are in their normal position as shown in`Figure 1. Yoke 36 also carries a roller46 in a somewhat retarded position A with respect to roller 45. The roller 46 bears againstethe horizontal flange of the work in rigidly holding the same against the flange supporting surface of the mandrel blocks. The position of the roller 46 may be varied by proper adjustment of its mounting on the yoke member as shown at 47. n

When it is desired to hold the mandrel against rotation, a pin 48 may be passed through the proper openings 49 in the hub l that are in alignment with the hole 50 in the hub 2. When the machine is to be operated under this condition, motion may be imparted to the bending means by inserting a handle 5l in an opening 52 in the yoke member 36 to afford ample leverage to perform the bending operation.

The operation of the bending machine is substantially as follows The mandrel is adjusted to the proper radius by turning the stems 13 and the desired surface of the mandrel blocks are brought into their upper or operative positions. Work in the form of an angle iron 53 is fed to the machine by placing one end thereof against the abutment 26 and the clamp adjacent thereto is placed in. If the work is fairly heavy, the preferred form of operation is to hold the bending instrumentalities stationary while the mandrel is rotated under power. Power is then app'lied to cause rotation of the mandrel, whereby the angle iron is bent around the mandrel as the rollers 45 and 46 positively hold the angle iron 'against the mandrel blocks. If, for any reason, the pressure on the roller 45 should become so great that damage to the machine is likely to be in- Vcurred, the springs 44 permit the roller 45 to give to a certain extent. As the angle iron passes from the rollers 45 and 46, the clamps may be brought into operative position as the occasion demands. When the work is to be taken from the machine, the clamps may be swung out of their operative position, and the angle iron readily removed. If the iron is to be bent away from its horizontal flange, the mandrel blocks are inverted to bring the cut-away face into operative position, where- 1 Patent of the United States is 1. A machine of the class described, compr1s1ng, 1n combination, a clrcular form or mandrel consisting of radially movable sections, means for adjusting the size of the mandrel, bending instrumentalities, means for adjust-ing the bending instrumentalities to the size of the mandrel, and means for causing relative movement between the mandrel and the bendingv instrumentalities.

2. A machine of the class described, comprising. in combination, a circular form adapted to have an angle iron bent therearound, said form consisting of radially movable sections, bending instrumentalities including rollers adapted to engage the work being bent by the machine, and means for adjusting the position of the rollers to the size of the form.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising. in combination, a circular mandrel adjustable as to its radius, means for fastening one end of an angle bar to the mandrel, means for causing rotation of the mandrel, bending instrumentalities, and means for clamping the work to the mandrel after it has passed through the bending instrumentalities.

4. A machine of the class described, comprising, a circular mandrel, and instrumentalities for bending angle irons around the mandrel, the said mandrel being sectional in construction and including means for adjusting the positions of the sections radially of the mandrel aXis whereby the size of the man-v drel may be varied as desired.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising, in combination, a support, an adjustable mandrel rotatably mounted on the support, bending instrumentalities immovably mounted with respect to the su port, means for rotating the mandrel, an means for clamping an angle iron to the mandrel after it has passed through the bending instrumentalities.

6. A mandrel of the class described, comprising a hub portion, spokes, and a ring member connected to the hub portion by the spokes, stems mounted in the ring member,

and mandrel blocks carried by the stems, said stems being adjustable to ad'ust the positions of the mandrel blocks where y the size of the mandrel may be varied as desired.

7. A mandrel of the class described, comprising, a hub portion, stems mounted in the hub portion, mandrel blocks rotatably mounted on the stems, means for preventing relative movement between adjacent mandrel blocks, and means for adjusting the stems s whereby the mandrel blocks may be adjustedA t provide varying sizes ofthe mandrel.

8. A mandrel of the class described. comprising a hub member, stems extending from the hub member, mandrel blocks on the stems,

lo the mandrel blocks having angularl)Y disposed operating faces, and means to bring each of the faces of the blocks selectively into operative position. V y i 9. A mandrel of the class described, comprising, in combination, a hub, stems extending from the hub, mandrel blocks rotatably mounted on the stems, means for adjusting the relative position of the blocks to vary the effective size of the mandrel, and means connecting the mandrel blocks whereby rotation of the latter is prevented, during adjustment of the mandrel blocks.

10. A mandrel of the class described, comprising. a hub, spokes, a ring connected to the hub by the spokes, stems adjustably mounted in the ring, mandrel blocks carried by the stems, and means for connecting the mandrel blocks together, whereby rotation of the latter is prevented while the position of the same is being varied by adjustment of the stems.

l1. A machine ofthe class described, comprising, in combination, a support, a sectional mandrel rotatably mounted on the support,

means for adjusting the sections of the mandrel to 'vary the size of the latter, bending instrumentalities'associated with the mandrel, means for adjusting the position of the bending instrumentalities to the size of the 40 mandrel, and means for clamping work to the mandrel after it has passed through the bending instrumentalities.

12. A machine of the class described, comprising. in combination, a support, a sectional mandrel vmounted for rotation on the support, means for adjusting thesections ot' the mandrel to provide varying sizes ot the lat ter, bending instrunientalities associated with the mandrel, including rollers, means to adjust the bending rollers to the sizes of theV mandrel, means for clamping Work after it has passed the rollers to the mandrel. and means for causing relative movement between the mandrel and bending instrumentalities.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS A. MCDONNELL. 

